Eligibility to live in residence is generally based on two things: academic credit load and age requirements. Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee a residence offer.
Academic Credit Load Requirements
- Undergraduate students must be and remain registered in Winter Session for a minimum of 18 credits of classroom-based courses—9 credits in each of Term 1 and Term 2. Distance education courses do not count towards the eligibility requirement.
- Graduate students must have full-time status confirmed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Additional Requirements
Year Round Residence
You must meet the age requirement by December 31 of the year you move into residence.
If you are currently living in Winter Session Residence, you are eligible for any shared unit type listed below—regardless of the minimum age requirement. For all other unit types, you must meet the age requirement.
| Residence | Minimum Age | Additional Information |
| Marine Drive | 19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio. There are designated graduate student floors. |
| Thunderbird | 19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio or one-bedroom suite. Consideration for studio and one-bedroom suites is given first to graduate and 25+ students. |
| Iona House | 19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio or one-bedroom suite. |
| Ponderosa Commons (Arbutus, Maple, Spruce, Oak) |
19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio suite. |
| Brock Commons – Tallwood House | 19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio suite. |
| Exchange | 19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio or one-bedroom suite. Consideration for one-bedroom suites is given first to graduate and 25+ students. |
| Fraser Hall | 19 years |
Winter Session Residence
You must meet the age requirement by December 31 of the year you move into residence.
If you are currently living in Winter Session Residence, you are eligible for any shared unit type listed below—regardless of the minimum age requirement. For all other unit types, you must meet the age requirement.
| Residence | Minimum Age | Additional Information |
| Totem Park, Place Vanier, Orchard Commons | None | 19+ are considered first for single rooms. |
| Ritsumeikan-UBC House | 18 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a one bedroom suite. |
| Walter Gage | 19 years | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a studio and and a one-bedroom suite in Walter Gage Apartments. |
| Ponderosa Commons Cedar House | 19 years | 19+ are considered first for studio suites. |
| Fairview Crescent | 19 years* | Must be 19+ to be eligible for a one bedroom suite. |
*Based on availability, some students under 19 may be assigned to these residences.
Graduate Colleges
You must meet the age requirement by December 31 of the year you move into residence.
| Residence | Minimum Age | Additional Requirements |
| St. John’s College | 19 years | Must be approved for SJC Membership. Single residents eligible for single units. Couples eligible for one bedroom units. Postdoctoral fellows and visiting faculty eligible for large single units. |
| Green College | 19 years | Must be approved for a Green College Resident Membership. Single residents eligible for single units. Couples and postdoctoral fellows eligible for large studio units. |
Student Family Residence
| Residence | Minimum Age | Additional Requirements |
| Acadia Park | None | Reserved for couples and adults with one or more dependent children 18 years of age or younger. Children must reside in Acadia Park for a minimum of ten months. One adult resident must meet academic credit load requirement. |
When a vacancy occurs, an offer will be made to the next person on the waitlist whose eligibility matches the size of the available unit according to these guidelines.
| Children* | One Bedroom | One Bedroom + Den | Two Bedroom | Three Bedroom | Four Bedroom |
| None | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| One | Yes** | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Two | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Three | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| More than three | No | No | No | No | Yes |
*”Children” refers to anyone who has not yet turned 19 years of age who resides full-time in the residential premises for at least ten months of any calendar year.
** For children up to the age of 12 months.
Summer Stay Through
| Residence | Minimum Age | Additional Requirements |
| Fairview Crescent | None | Must have Winter Session Residence Contract. Summer course registration is not required. |
Summer Residence
Students eligible for Summer Residence must belong to ONE of the following groups:
- Group 1: UBC students registered in summer credit courses (6 credits) or a graduate program.
- Group 2: UBC students employed by a UBC department in a research capacity. Proof of employment is required. A copy of your appointment notice is sufficient.
- Group 3: Full-time students from other universities who are performing research directed by a UBC department. Proof of UBC sponsorship and student status is required. Please attach proof of UBC employment or sponsorship, if applicable, and provide your student number on your residence application.
First consideration for residence will be given to Group 1. Applicants from Group 2 and Group 3 will be assigned based on availability. Application does not guarantee assignment.
Early Arrival Residence
Early arrivals are typically not permitted. However, you may be eligible if you meet ALL of the following conditions:
- You have submitted your Winter Session Residence application and required payment prior indicated deadline and are awaiting confirmation of your assignment.
- You belong to one of the following pre-approved groups:
- Students in early-starting academic programs.
- Varsity athletes participating in early-starting team practices (as approved by Athletics and Recreation).
- Aboriginal students of Canada attending a welcome/orientation event hosted by the First Nations House of Learning.